Journalist worldwide celebrated the World Press Freedom Day themed ‘Journalism under Internet Siege’.
The theme is in line with the numerous challenges that journalism has been facing in the digital era.
Some of the most visible challenges being freedom of expression, journalist safety, access to information among others.
It is in the same spirit that the United Nations in Somalia recognised the role of the media in war-torn areas.
The UN called for more efforts from the international community to ensure journalist in such areas are accorded a safe environment to work in.
‘Somalia’s media are a key component for the growth of democracy, and they need to be able to go about their work free from threats, intimidation and harm so they can carry out their important work,” UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan said.
Statistics indicate that One journalist was killed in the last one year. Two others were injured and at least 64 have been injured while in line of duty.
In Kenya, the media council through a statement stated that it would hold the Annual Media Summit on May 5, 2022, which will culminate into the 10th Annual Journalism Excellence Awards on May 6, 2022.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993, with May 3, designated for the observance to mark the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration.
The Day acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom, as well as celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.